Nightshade licked her dry lips and glanced up, caught in the heat of his stare. There was no mistaking the desire heating his gaze.
She fought the urge to squirm and forced herself to break eye contact. She had no business thinking these lust-filled thoughts about him, especially now when she was so close to completing her mission. She’d made her choice. Team Mayhem and her sister. Merc would never have a future in that life.
“Caroline?” A soft melodic voice drifted across the room and her attention snapped to the right, taking in the frail presence of Celine Latimer. She hovered near Aaron's arm, clutching his hand with a white knuckled grip. “Caro, is it really you?”
Oh crap. Celine Latimer. The tenacious blonde who’d been inadvertently kidnapped with Caroline. Nightshade hadn’t thought about her since arriving. Her close connection to Caroline, as evidenced by Celine’s constantly demanding to see Caroline when they’d been back at the palace, could be a problem for Nightshade.
Celine took a hesitant step forward, tears spilling onto her cheeks.
“Go on, honey. She won't bite.” Aaron gave Celine a nudge, his expression filled with so much warmth it made Nightshade's teeth hurt.
“I – I can't believe you're alive.” The damn burst and Celine flew across the room, wrapping Nightshade in a fierce hug, her soft sobs cracking through the thin ice around Nightshade’s heart.
She let go of Cotter and wrapped her arms around Celine. “I’m so glad to see you again, I missed you.”
As if those simple words were a life-changing event, Celine sobbed harder. “I've been so worried about you. I – I – I've prayed every day for you.”
Even more of Nightshade's resistance melted. So many people here truly loved Caroline, including Celine Latimer.
A wave of guilt caught Nightshade by surprise, slamming through her so hard it caused physical pain to spread down her arms into her fingertips. She’d never considered the collateral damage to innocents in all of her cold-hearted calculations of revenge against Tom Cotter.
Throat tight, Nightshade hugged her tighter. “I'm sorry.”
Celine sobbed harder and Nightshade bit her tongue at the slip-up. Caroline had nothing to be sorry for. It was Nightshade who was beginning to realize her actions affected more lives than she'd ever imagined.
“Celine, sweetheart, I think you might be choking her.”
Nightshade was grateful for Aaron's gentle interruption. Her entire foundation had just tilted precariously to the side and she needed to put some distance between herself and this ride of emotions brought on by Caroline's friends and family.
Flailing for sure footing, she sought out the one person in the room who could give her strength: Merc.
He came to her without hesitation, wrapping his arm around her, and in her vulnerable state, Nightshade collapsed into his side, drawing on his strength and warmth. “Are you ready for one more?” Merc leaned down and whispered in her ear.
“One more what?” Nightshade honestly didn't know if she could handle another emotional gut punch.
Merc nodded to the far corner of the room where a beautiful black haired woman stood by Ethan's side. Nightshade had no idea who the woman was, only that she wasn't a sobbing mess like Celine.
The woman strode confidently across the room, her green gaze bright. “I'm so sorry for what happened at your wedding. I should have known. Can you ever forgive me?”
Forgive her for what? Nightshade did a mad mental scramble trying to figure out the woman's identity but came up blank. This person was obviously another one of Caroline’s friends, so she simply replied with, “There's nothing to forgive.”
The woman’s stiff posture melted, and before Nightshade had a chance to react, she yanked Nightshade into a fierce hug. “I’m so glad you're back.” Just as quickly the woman stepped back leaving Nightshade grateful that she wouldn’t have to handle another sob show.
She might break down herself.
Ethan placed a hand on the woman’s shoulder. “See, Kate, what did I tell you?”
Kate rolled her eyes and gave a light jab to Ethan's ribs. “If this man right here hadn't threatened to have me locked up, I would've been in Afghanistan with the rest of the team, searching for you.”
Ethan chuckled and rubbed his ribs. “Just because you’re an ex-CIA agent doesn't mean I'd let you go on a special ops mission. Not after I almost lost you once.”
Ex-CIA agent? Nightshade would have to tread carefully here or risk blowing her cover.
Kate touched Ethan’s hand, her gaze filled with affection. “Well, from what I heard, Caro didn’t need me.” She dipped her head in Nightshade’s direction. “You held your own pretty damn good against his team. Girl power.” Kate held up her hand.
Nightshade hesitated the briefest second, then gave her a high five. “It was just instinct, I think.”
Kate’s lips pulled in a sideways smile. “Protective instinct for someone special?”
Heat blossomed in Nightshade's cheeks and she shrugged, unsure of how to respond. Caroline had no weapons training. Thank God she hadn't actually hit one of the men. That would've been a lot harder to explain away.
Merc tipped her chin up with a crooked finger. “I like a woman who can hold her own.”
“Then you got the right girl,” she responded, losing herself in him.
Ethan chuckled. “What did I tell you, sweetheart? If anyone can handle Merc, it’s Caroline.”
But she wasn’t Caroline. She was Nightshade.
The spell broken, she glanced away. Cotter, who was standing off to the side, wiped away his tears. How could he possibly hold on to this act, and with such conviction, for so long without a crack? Even a master manipulator like Cotter had to break sometime. Didn’t he?
Unless it wasn’t an act… another chink of ice around Nightshade’s heart cracked.
Nightshade drew in a steadying breath but it did nothing to quell the low rumble rocking her core beliefs. She'd gotten in too deep. She had to get out of here before she said or did something stupid.
Remember your team, dammit. Tom Cotter is responsible for your team’s capture. Except Nightshade was starting to have a hard time reconciling this with the warm, caring man who'd told her he loved her more times in her first day here than Mankel had in her entire life.
“We've got another surprise for you. Why don't you run upstairs and shower? We’re going out on a date.” Merc's deep voice broke into her troubled thoughts.
“A date? As in leaving the house?”
“With Ethan, Aaron, the girls, and me. We'll all be together and I’ve got a security detail already scoping out the restaurant. So if you can ignore the fact that you'll be watched and guarded the entire time, then yeah.” Merc took her hand in his. “Will you go out on a date with me?”
Goosebumps stole across her entire body. A real date. With Merc.
Was she selfish to want this so bad — a date, a memory with him she could cherish forever? “I'd love to.”
His lips stretched into a wide gorgeous smile. “Hurry up, then. I'm hungry.”
Giddy excitement overtook her and the banked desire in his gaze told Nightshade it wasn't just food he wanted.
Chapter 20
Merc leaned against the wall beside the front door, arms crossed, waiting silently for his date to come downstairs. Ethan and Aaron stood off to the side, joking and cracking comments every now and then. For the most part he ignored them.
He couldn't get the way Caroline's expression had lit up at the prospect of going on a date out of his mind. And not just any date, a date with him. Her joy seeped into him instantly and he’d found himself searching for ways to make sure she never lost that expression. And worried that he would do something stupid to mess it up.
What the hell did he know about dating anyway? Absolutely nothing.
He'd spent a full hour on his computer going back and forth on whether to order her flowers and finally decided against it. He couldn't picture himself
standing there holding flowers with a big dumb grin on his face. He wasn't that kind of man. He'd be more likely to buy her a gun as a present.
Besides, what if he ordered the wrong kind? What if he got red roses and she hated them? Women were complicated, even he knew that. He’d decided his best bet would be to lay low and let her take the lead.
He heard someone clear their throat off to the left and looked over to see Harriet and Francis waving frantically at him from just inside the dining room doorway out of view from anyone but him. He debated whether he should just ignore them — more women meant more complications — but in the end he gave in.
He stopped just inside the door. “Something I can do for you ladies?”
Francis took a hasty step back, but Harriet, thick and strong, stood tall. “Francis, you see, she's the Chef, but sometimes she helps me clean when I get overworked.” Harriet’s bravado faltered.
“Okay,” Merc said, curious as to where this was leading.
Francis kept her lips clamped shut.
“Well, um, you see, she went in to clean your room after you left earlier. You know, make your bed, pick up your clothes. You’re a very clean man, by the way. She wanted me to tell you she appreciated that.”
Merc’s lips twitched. “The military does that to you.”
Francis flushed red straight up her chest and all the way to the roots of her gray hair. Had she suddenly lost her ability to speak?
Harriet took in a big breath and then blurted out the rest without stopping, “She saw you’d been looking at flowers online and figured you were trying to decide if you should get some for Caroline. She thought maybe you weren't sure, so - so – so -”
As if woken from a trance, Francis blurted out, “For goodness sake, Harriet. Mr. Merc, I know my Caroline loves lilies and daisies and roses all mixed together, so I went ahead and had a bouquet sent over just in case you changed your mind.” Francis produced a large clear vase from behind her back, overflowing with the sweet scented flowers.
The flowers trembled and Francis took on a green hue, like she was terrified he would crush her right there. He thought briefly about teasing her, and might have, if she hadn’t looked ready to faint. “Ms. Francis, you're exactly right. I gave up when I wasn't sure what to order. How can I thank you?”
Harriet’s mouth hung open.
Merc took the flowers before Francis dropped them and said, “You saved me and I owe you for that. If you ever need anything at all, you let me know.”
If possible, her deep blush darkened, but Francis rallied and said, “I saw you two kissing in the study. Caroline never does anything like that. And the way she looks at you… Well, I'd give anything to look at a man like that. You'll take care of her tonight, won’t you?”
“With my life.”
“You didn't tell me you saw them kissing. How could you keep that from me?” Harriet said.
“You know how I feel about gossiping, Harriet. It just isn't right.” Francis crossed her arms over her chest, her shoulders getting a set similar to that of a hard rock that refused to move.
“But you know she's my baby girl. I’ve been with her just as long as you have.”
“Now Harriet, don't act like you've never kept a secret from me. I know all about that time you and Tom’s old driver, Davis, were necking in the broom closet.”
“Francis Marie, I never necked with anybody.”
“Right. Then what would you call it?”
“None of your business is what I'd call it.”
Merc took a step back toward the door, careful not to make any sudden movements and draw attention to himself.
Harriet’s lip trembled, but Merc wasn’t sure if it was from sadness or fury.
“Good night, ladies. Thanks for your help.” Merc ducked out the door as soon as Harriet waved a hand in his direction, dismissing him from their conversation.
Unable to do anything but grin now, he strolled back to the front door, intent on assuming his previous pose. Merc caught a movement out of the corner of his eye, glanced up the staircase, and forgot how to breathe.
Caroline slowly descended, allowing Kate and Celine to precede her. Her honey blonde curls had been swept to the side and cascaded around her shoulder. A sinfully simple red dress that followed the curve of her waist and flared out over her hips, swayed with each step. She wasn’t real. This had to be a dream.
Drawn to her, Merc walked as if in a trance, stopping right in front of her. His teammates and their girlfriends forgotten, he traced her jawline, taking those precious seconds to inhale her sweet scent.
“Hi,” he said, unable to think of another word.
“Hi,” she whispered back.
“You look stunning.” Only dimly aware of the others now, he had to hold himself back from sweeping her into his arms.
“So do you.”
Someone cleared their throat and Merc glared over his shoulder, irritated that someone had broken their moment, only to see Harriet and Francis hiding in the shadows and gesturing to the flowers in his hand. Merc yanked the flowers from behind his back and shoved them forward.
Caroline clasped her throat and then gasped.
He faltered. Had they been wrong?
Then she smiled a brilliant wide smile that lit up her entire face. “Are those for me?” Her voice was a sensual caress.
Merc had to clear his throat before he could answer. “Do you like them?”
Caroline's eyes glistened. “They're beautiful.”
“Not as beautiful as you.”
She leaned down to smell the flowers and Merc watched, completely enthralled. “They smell so good. I can't believe you did this. Thank you.”
Merc would definitely have to get Francis a present, something really big and really nice.
As if his thoughts summoned them, Francis and Harriet were suddenly at his side. Francis held out her hand. “I'll take those for you. If you don't get a move on it, you’ll be late.”
Merc nodded his thanks and passed the flowers off. Then he held out his hand to Caroline. She took it, her hand so small in his. His chest swelled with a fresh surge of protectiveness. “Are you ready?”
“More than you know,” she said.
Harriet sniffled and lifted a corner of her ever-present apron to dab at the moisture in her eyes. “I finally get to see my Caroline go out on her first real date.”
Their animosity toward each other obviously forgotten, Francis, a head taller than Harriet, wrapped her arm around the other woman’s shoulders. “Come on, I’ll make us a cup of coffee. You two have fun.”
Harriet and Francis disappeared down the hallway leading to the kitchen, and the rest of the group went outside. Ethan and Kate got in the front seat of a large black SUV, Aaron and Celine in the back, and Merc managed to squeeze in the middle row, his hands tangling with Caroline’s the whole time.
They made it to the movie just in time, some new chick flick he had absolutely no interest in watching. But then again, this wasn't about him. He needed to be on alert, aware of their surroundings at all times.
Although he was bored to tears by the movie, Caroline nearly drove him crazy tracing his palm and gently tickling his rough skin with a caress he felt through his entire body. By the time the movie was over, he was rock hard and aching to the point of pain.
He held the door open for the girls to exit out into the movie theater lobby.
“Oh my God, can you believe it? That ending will take me a full week to get over.” Celine dramatically slapped a hand flat over her chest.
Kate arched a black brow. “Really? Come on. You knew that's exactly what was going to happen after the first five minutes of the movie.”
Celine pursed her lips. “Then why were you sniffling so much at the end?”
“Allergies,” Kate lied baldly.
Ethan swept in from behind, scooping Kate up into a tight hug before placing her back on her feet. “Don't let her lie to you,” he said to Celine. “She likes to preten
d she's all gruff on the outside, but she’s all mush on the inside.”
Kate swatted playfully at Ethan's arm. “Am not. Besides, I'm pretty sure Caroline cried the most.”
Heat bloomed in Caroline’s cheeks, but she smiled. “I’ve never cried in a movie.”
Celine laughed, grabbed Aaron's hand, and started dragging them toward the door. “Joe Black’s movies – you have to be dead not to cry watching one of them.”
“Hey, I'm not dead and I didn't cry.” Aaron tugged her back.
Celine glanced over her shoulder at Aaron. “Don't worry, honey, I don't think anyone else saw you drying your tears.”
Merc got caught up in their laughter, relaxing and enjoying the moment. More people crowded into the lobby, kids ran as harried parents chased, teenagers milled around on dates. There was a new release tonight which was part of the reason why they’d chosen such an early show time. Now the theater was quickly filling to capacity.
“Let's go.” There were too many variables, too many people to watch in here. The restaurant they’d picked out was quiet and isolated.
As the group headed toward the door, a man crossed right beside Merc, causing every single muscle in his body to stop moving.
Blond hair. Blond beard. Familiar.
The fractured memory flickered, his teammates dead on the street in Afghanistan. Then just as quickly, the memory vanished.
No way.
Merc shook his head trying to regain his focus. This had to be a cruel trick of his mind. Because the man he’d just seen walk in the movie theater had died on the streets of Afghanistan right next to him.
* * *
Merc froze beside her, his face a mask of intense focus. Nightshade glanced over her shoulder but saw nothing and no one suspicious. “Merc, what's wrong?”
Men of Mercy: The Complete Story Page 140